Okay, okay, maybe he doesn’t even know I exist lol… but others do, and they want me there. So, yes, I booked a flight down to Florida so that I may attend the Director’s event, and perhaps even get the chance to shake his hand or meet him. It has been suggested that as I shake his hand, perhaps I may even hand deliver a letter to him, outlining some of the issues regarding HIV and HIV Trainings for volunteers that I feel should be addressed.
I have begun to draft such a letter, but am finding it difficult. I do not in any way want to sound as if I am a whining baby, attempting to place blame on the Peace Corps. I do not hold a grudge towards Peace Corps. But, I do feel that some things could be improved upon. I do not want it to be my words and my words only. I have received so many comments and private e-mails from PCVs and RPCVs, sharing their own stories of risk, and their own complaints and concerns about what has or has not been done properly. I feel obligated to include some of these stories and concerns in my letter, so that we, together, can attempt to better shape the trainings and supports provided to volunteers. Please, if you are a volunteer, or past volunteer, and have any concerns relating to HIV or sexual education trainings and supports provided during your Peace Corps service, please do not hesitate to contact me. Let us take an active role in what happens to future volunteers.
In addition to attending Director William’s event, I have also been invited to host my own speaking event. I will be meeting with the University of Florida Peace Corps Recruiter, and a group of her future and past volunteers, to share my story and words about HIV. We hope to educate and inform, to share and discuss, to make a positive impact on these future volunteers who will soon be out there serving in countries all around the world.
If you are following me from around the University of Florida area, please contact me if you have additional interest or questions about these events.
Woohoo! So excited about these opportunities!
ReplyDeleteGood luck! It sounds like you have some amazing opportunities to share your story and really make a difference for future Peace Corps volunteers.
ReplyDeleteWe are SO looking forward to having you here! I cannot wait to see you!! =)
ReplyDeleteI'm an RPCV from Zambia, 2008-2011 (I left in May, so we somehow missed meeting each other!), and I just want to commend you for putting together this blog, speaking out and sharing your story. This could just as easily happened to me, or other PCVs, and I often pondered how I would deal with contracting HIV, if it happened. (I also thought that I would just stay in Africa, too!) I am impressed by all the information you have put together, and how far-reaching your message has gone. I truly think that PC Zambia (at the very least) will revamp their HIV training and more appropriate knowledge will be disseminated- I also was under the misconception that oral sex was "low risk." Thank you for being so courageous and positive, you are setting an amazing example. Good luck on your speaking events and stay strong!!
ReplyDelete-Julia
As someone who has given trainings on STIs to PCVs I can already hear the complaints that they are being treated like high schoolers and not the adults that they think they are. Your blog is very eye opening and will certainly lead me to stress even further the risks of oral sex which many young people treat very casually these days. But, at some point, one's risky behavior becomes one's own responsibility not the Peace Corps, not the instructors', not the PCMOs. We look too frequently to blame others when things don't turn out perfectly.
ReplyDeleteI'm curious as to what you are trying to accomplish with this comment. I don't think anyone on this blog blames Peace Corps, instructors, or PCMOs for their predicament. As a former PCV (who entered as a mid-level career professional) I can assure you that there are certainly aspects to training and service that are over-moderated by the organization and seem as though PC is treating everyone (regardless of age) as children. Most of us understand that's the price of working for the government and an unavoidable part of bureaucracy.
DeleteI'd like to point out that all sexual behavior has some level of inherent risk but by vilifying someone for engaging in sexual behavior and assuming that all young people treat oral sex casually, you're not part of the solution.
I am currently working in Malawi and after reading and rereading so many of your blog entries, am deeply moved by your story and your candor. I am not in a relationship here, and don't foresee myself being in one, but that doesn't stop the realization that as you said, we're all human. It really could be anyone in any lonely and desperate situation, as I've often felt during my year of service here. I would love to be a part of somehow taking action, and although I'm not a PCV, would love to talk with you more. Just sharing your story is truly inspirational, but I want to push you: you can't reverse time and change the situation but what do you hope will come from this? Have you thought that far yet? And without rehashing things you've already said, do you really think you would have done things differently, given that your situation and the feelings that come along with it would have changed? This is in no way a question of judgement, but as I read this and feel compelled to take action, I wonder what realistically makes sense and will make a difference. You can do more education, but as is the problem with countries like Zambia and Malawi where more than 10% of the population is infected, that does not always translate to action. I truly commend you for being a voice and look forward to discussing these issues more in the future.
ReplyDeleteI live in Gainesville and will be leaving for the Dominican Republic in less than 2 weeks as a Peace Corps Volunteer. I will also be attending the event with Director Williams and would love to meet you while you are in town. I'm sure you are busy, but I would love to grab coffee and hear about your experiences. You can contact me at jenni.vettel@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteJenni,
DeleteI'm UF's PC recruiter. If you would like to attend the reception with the Director and/or Jess's session with PC applicants, please email me at peacecorps@ufic.ufl.edu. We look forward to seeing you!
GOOD LUCK!!
ReplyDelete